Sasha funds an independent docuseries!

My name is Sasha Banks. I'm a writer and creator raising funds to complete filming, film/sound editing, and to compensate artists featured in my first 6-episode docuseries, Oh, Country.

Filming for this project began in the Spring of 2017 when I started asking myself about my relationship to the united states, particularly as a Black person with deep familial roots in the u.s. military. The film was originally the thesis for my masters program but quickly grew into a larger-scale idea when I started talking with other Black people about their relationship to america and the concept of patriotism.

Cinematographer Jih-E Peng and I traveled across the South, conducting interviews and getting different bits of footage. Filming ended when funds ran out, and eventually, Covid interrupted plans to complete the remainder of the film's interviews, etc.

From then to now, the concept of Oh, Country has expanded from a traditional full-length film to a 6-episode docuseries that weaves interviews together with sketches, poetic interludes, and recurring creative/performance segments--basically, it got more fun!

The film has multiple financial goals to meet on its journey to completion. This specific goal of $50k will allow us to secure a skilled cinematographer to resume filming, secure different filming insurances, book flights/lodging, and appropriately compensate the film's featured artists for their time and creativity.

In the meantime, I will continue to submit Oh, Country for funding from film grants and other opportunities offered by independent film organizations. Securing $50k will allow us to fine-tune our submissions to these organizations by improving the overall quality of the project.

Your donation is much appreciated! If you're unable to donate, I appreciate you sharing with folks who can!!

Thank you!

Sasha